July 15, 2022
IN THE STARS
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
  the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
  mortals that you care for them?

Psalm 8: 2-3

When I was in Kindergarten, we drove from our home in Ft. Worth to my Aunt’s house in Dallas so we could watch the first man walk on the moon. As a kid in junior high, one of my favorite parts of summer camp was gazing at the star-filled sky on the road between the closing campfire back to our cabin. And I remember the devastation I felt when the Challenger Space Shuttle blew up as it returned home to planet earth. 

So last week’s images from the Webb telescope, showing us previously invisible parts of our cosmos, were mind boggling as well as stunningly gorgeous. With the breakthrough, scientists are better able to study the how, why and when of the galaxies and stars, unlocking the mysteries of our universe that began 13.8 billion years ago. What a miracle that they can now see a planet 1,150 years away from us. The Carina Nebula reveals hundreds of never seen before stars. 

I am grateful for the work of Ilia Delio, a scientist and a theologian, who has written that to separate theology from science is to destroy the genetic code. In her mind the universe is the next monastery, a place to find God. As Christians we can embrace the fullness of what we see in the Webb’s slide show. In her book, The Hours of the Universe, Delio writes that the 4.2 billion years of life on this 13.8 billion-year-old cosmos testifies of a resilience. “This resilience bears witness to the hope that life will win the race.”  So I find myself as awed as I was in kindergarten by this recent news. And I feel as small and humbled and yet as fully embraced as I did on those starry nights at camp. 

Or as one of the key scientists working on the Webb telescope, Dr. Amber Stragh said, “We humans are connected to the universe. We are made out of the same stuff in this landscape.” You and I are stardust! 
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Carla
 
To send Carla an email click HERE.
WORSHIP WITH US
SPIRITUALITY FOR THE REAL WORLD
Summer Sermon Series

If reading the letters of the apostle Paul feels like ancient history, reading the book of James can feel like he’s reading our mail, watching our news. In this series, we’ll receive practical wisdom for what it means to be Christian in the real world. 

Sun., July 10 - Part 6: Tame the Tongue, based on James 3:1-12. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.

Worship with us in person at 9:01 (front lawn), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream. Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
BREAKFAST ON THE LAWN THIS SUMMER

Come to worship hungry this Sunday!

Breakfast will be complimentary; free will offering welcomed. This week sponsored by the Koinonia Sunday School Class.
HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE DEADLINE EXTENDED

If you missed the chance to sign up for this amazing trip, the deadline has been extended. This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama, Oct. 24-27, includes visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum. Designed as a partnership between members of Swope Parkway United Christian Church and Country Club Christian Church. Cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships available. More information at cccckc.org/human-rights-pilgrimage/.
ECUADOR MISSION TRIP
A team will travel to Ecuador from Oct. 29 - Nov. 6, 2022, for a week of service and learning with mission partner FEDICE, a non-profit organization that works to build sustainable livelihoods, encourage self-sufficiency, and significantly enhance quality of life for indigenous and marginalized rural communities in Ecuador. More information HERE. If you’re interested in this trip, contact Tyler Heston.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

As the church’s fiscal year ends, please review your financial commitment to the church for the 2021-2022 year and make every effort to ensure your giving is up to date. Also, if have not submitted a commitment card with your estimate of giving for the 2022-2023 year, it is not too late to do so. You may:


Making and fulfilling a financial commitment to the church ensures that our ministries remain robust, and that we can end the year in good standing as we move into budget planning for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Follow up calls will begin next week. Thank you for your generosity to Country Club Christian Church.Thank you again for your past support and ongoing faithfulness. We are grateful for you and that you are a part of our church family. 
METRO MISSION
PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRAPS KC: Giveaway Days for Teachers
The work of sorting and cleaning is winding down and preparations are being made for the teacher giveaway. Over 400 local teachers have signed up for a shopping slot and we need help welcoming, directing and assisting them as they gather their choice of school supplies from our Social Hall. School Supply Giveaway Days are Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22. If you can lend some time, sign up HERE. 
A huge thank you to all the church members who made time to help with this summer service project of processing 17,000 lbs of donations.
JULY COLLECTION CONNECTION
School's out for summer and for some families that means less access to breakfast and lunch, as many free and reduced meal programs do not function in full during the summer months. The Metro Mission team is accepting donations of cereals, macaroni and cheese, and 16 oz jars of peanut butter for our partner agencies. Donations can be brought to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or on Sunday mornings.
PARTNERS SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Amethyst Place Families Volunteer at Scraps KC 
Agencies helping agencies was evident Tuesday evening when moms and their kids from Amethyst Place came to help sort and clean school supplies for Scraps KC in the Social Hall. Having this service opportunity on-site for the summer has made it possible for collaboration and connection between agencies the church supports. The evening ended with popsicles on the playground! Thanks to the hard working families from Amethyst Place!  
AMETHYST PLACE: TUNES ON TROOST
Support mission partner Amethyst Place at the August First Friday Tunes on Troost event, 2732 Troost on Fri., Aug. 5 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Food trucks, music, kids activities, campus tours and more! No RSVP needed. Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn will be at the event, hope to see you there!
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
SAVE THE DATE FOR BACKPACK BLESSING
All school-age children are invited to bring their backpacks to worship on Sun., Aug. 14 as we offer a prayer for the new school year.

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES
Mark your calendar and join us in
worship on Sun., Aug. 21 as the 9:01 service moves back into the Sanctuary, children’s Sunday School resumes, and we will present 3rd graders with Bibles. 
YOUTH

SUMMER FUN!
Along with our summer service-learning trips, youth are invited to a few opportunities to get together for fun and for service here in Kansas City! See below for our special socials, and stay tuned for service opportunities:
  • Wednesday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: Worlds of Fun! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
  • Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Chicken and Pickle! (For incoming youth grades 6-12)
ROOTS SUMMER FUN!
Roots provides opportunities for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect as community, to learn and grow spiritually, and to make a change in our city through service-learning projects. Join us as we connect and grow together.

ROOTS BOOK CLUB 
Tues., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. • Location TBD
Join us for potluck dinner and a conversation about Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Even if you haven’t read, you’re welcome to join— the book sparks a lot of conversation, and I’ll structure discussion to be interesting regardless of how much you’ve read. RSVP for location and reading info and more to tylerh@cccckc.org.
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the friends and family of Max Deweese who died on July 9. A memorial service will be held on Sat., July 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in Parlor.



Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.